|
|
How to get around
|
City Transportation
Getting around the city is likely to take some getting used to; public transit here is on the whole quite good, extremely cheap, and covers most conceivable corners of the city, whether by bus or subway.
|
The subway
The New York subway is intimidating and initially incomprehensible. It's also the fastest and most efficient way to get from A to B in Manhattan and the outer boroughs, and it is safer and more user-friendly than it once was. Put aside your qualms: Six million people ride the subway every day, quite a few for the first time
|
The Bus
The bus system is simpler than the subway, and you can see where you're going and hop off at anything interesting. It also features many more crosstown routes. The major disadvantage is that they can be extremely slow - in peak hours almost down to walking pace, and extremely full to boot. In response to cries of overcrowding along several routes, the MTA recently introduced "accordion buses" - two buses attached with a flexible rubber accordion, which helps the big vehicle turn corners. However, because these run slightly less frequently than the ones they replaced, they still get crowded.
|
Walking
Few cities equal New York for street-level stimulation. Getting around on foot is often the most exciting - and tiring - method of exploring. Figure fifteen minutes to walk ten north-south blocks - rather more at rush hour.
cities equal New York for street-level stimulation. Getting around on foot is often the most exciting - and tiring - method of exploring. Figure fifteen minutes to walk ten north-south blocks - rather more at rush hour. However you plan your wanderings you're still going to spend much of your time walking. Footwear is important (sneakers are good for spring/summer; winter needs something waterproof).
|
Driving
The best advice is don't drive in New York City. Traffic is often gridlocked.
|
Taxis
Taxis are always worth considering, especially if you're in a hurry or in a group or late at night. Always use medallion cabs, immediately recognizable by their yellow paintwork and medallion up top; gypsy cabs, unlicensed, uninsured operators who tout for business wherever tourists arrive, should be avoided.
|
Ferry
Staten Island Ferry. (Free) Travels Manhattan and Staten Island. Each way takes 25 minutes.
|
Airports
Three Airports servicing New York City:
John F. Kennedy Int'l (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA), Newark Int'l. (EWR)
|
Railway
Pennsylvania Station is located between 31st and 33rd Streets on 7th Avenue. (212) 630-6400. Amtrak, Long Island Railroad, and New Jersey Transit trains stop at Penn Station. Connect there with the subway or taxis.
Grand Central Terminal (212) 532-4900 on the East side. Commuter trains from Connecticut and suburban New York City arrive and depart here.
|
Intercity Bus
Port Authority Bus Terminal is located on 8th Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets. Local buses from New Jersey and intercity buses from the United States and Canada serve the terminal which is also on several bus lines. (212) 564-8484
|
|
|
